How did Napoleon's leadership style reflect Enlightenment ideals while simultaneously contradicting them? He promoted meritocracy while maintaining absolute power He supported democracy while ruling as an emperor He encouraged free speech while censoring the press He advocated equality while reinstating nobility

## Step 1<br />The question asks us to analyze how Napoleon's leadership style both reflected and contradicted Enlightenment ideals. The Enlightenment was a period that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. <br /><br />## Step 2<br />Napoleon's leadership style reflected Enlightenment ideals in several ways. He promoted meritocracy, which is the belief that power should be vested in individuals based on their ability and talent rather than their social status or class. This is a reflection of the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual merit and ability.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />However, Napoleon's leadership style also contradicted Enlightenment ideals in several ways. He maintained absolute power, which is a contradiction to the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. <br /><br />## Step 4<br />Napoleon supported democracy while ruling as an emperor, which is a contradiction to the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. <br /><br />## Step 5<br />Napoleon encouraged free speech while censoring the press, which is a contradiction to the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms. <br /><br />## Step 6<br />Napoleon advocated equality while reinstating nobility, which is a contradiction to the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms.